Colorado specific ownership tax
Colorado's Division of Motor Vehicles describes the specific ownership tax as a property tax for your vehicle; it is set from the original taxable value, 85% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, and the vehicle's age, not its current market value.[1]
| Year of service | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.10% | $714.00 |
| 2 | 1.50% | $510.00 |
| 3 | 1.20% | $408.00 |
| 4 | 0.90% | $306.00 |
| 5 | 0.45% | $153.00 |
| 6–9 | 0.45% | $153.00 |
| 10 and later | flat | $3.00 |
FASTER fees and the rest of the Colorado bill
Every renewal also carries the FASTER road safety and bridge safety surcharges, which depend on the vehicle's empty weight, an age-of-vehicle fee of $12, $10 or $7, and a handful of small state fees.[1]
| Fee | 2,000 lbs or less | 2,001–5,000 lbs | 5,001–10,000 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FASTER road safety surcharge | $12.30 | $19.30 | $24.30 |
| FASTER bridge safety surcharge | $13.00 | $18.00 | $23.00 |
Electric cars pay the annual EV fee of $63.05 plus a road usage fee of $26 (plug-in hybrids $13) for July 2026 through June 2027, and Colorado lets owners pay these in installments.[2][1]
| Case | Total | Period |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 car, year 2, emissions county | $569.69 | yearly |
| $40,000 car, year 5 | $212.69 | yearly |
| $55,000 EV, year 1, new plates | $1,145.07 | yearly |
| $30,000 car, year 11 | $56.19 | yearly |
What this estimate leaves outColorado also charges a small base registration fee by weight and some counties add their own fees. We could not confirm those amounts from an official source, so the calculator shows them as excluded; your county renewal notice lists the full bill.
Deadlines and late fees in Colorado
- A newly bought car must be registered within 60 days of purchase; new residents within 90 days.[1]
- Renewals get a one-month grace period; after that the late fee is $25 a month, up to $100.[1]
- Leftover registration value can be credited to a new car, but only in person at the county office.[1]
Colorado sales tax at purchase is separate: see the car sales tax calculator. Compare states in car registration fees by state and the vehicle registration fee calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a car in Colorado?
It depends mostly on the car's original MSRP and age. A $40,000 car in its second year pays about $569.69 in the state items shown, plus a small base fee and any county fees.
What is the Colorado specific ownership tax?
A yearly tax in place of personal property tax: 85% of MSRP × a rate that falls from 2.1% in year one to 0.45% in years five to nine, then $3.
How much is the Colorado EV registration fee?
$63.05 plus a $26 road usage fee for an electric car in FY 2026-27; plug-in hybrids pay $63.05 plus $13.